There’s free entertainment in every corner of the New York State Fair, now five weeks away
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Mondays and Tuesdays have traditionally been senior days at the New York State Fair. 
But with the expansion this year to an 18-day run, every day will be senior day as everyone 65 and older will be admitted free daily.
With release of the list of special days on the Fair website, the announcement is great news for seniors, who now join kids 12 and under in receiving free admission every day.
Meanwhile, the admission rate for everyone else, with the exception of designated special days, is three bucks.
Animals in costumes? The New York State Fair’s got it, six weeks away.
If there’s anything better than one performance by the Mavericks at the 2021 New York State Fair, it’s two (or should we say dos) concerts by that award-winning band. 
In a throwback scenario to the days of two Chevrolet Court concerts by the same act every day, the Fair has added a second show by Raul and the boys, the newly-booked set to be performed all in Spanish.
The en Espanol show will actually come first, at 2 p.m. on Sep. 5 on the Stan Colella Stage at Chevy Court, while the previously scheduled concert will play the same venue that evening at 7 p.m.
The last time the versatile, bi-lingual combo played Chevy Court was at the 2019 Fair and the weather couldn’t have been worse, but devoted fans shook off pelting rain and stuck around for a jalapeno-hot time in the old courtyard. Now fans have second and third chances to sample their Tex-Mex talents, this time with hopes that decent weather will greet their Latino virtuosity.
You’ll buy those wonderful things you didn’t know you needed in seven weeks at the New York State Fair.
Root for your favorite farm animal at the New York State Fair in eight weeks.
There’s something fishy about the withdrawal of four major food vendors from the 2021 New York State Fair. News broke on Channel 9 Wednesday that Gianelli, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Haddock’s Paddock and Baker’s Chicken Coop will not open this year.
The only explanation so far is that Gianelli wants to concentrate on its core business–making sausage, while Dino sticks to running restaurants and selling bottled sauces.
But it would seem that there’s something we don’t yet know. Four of the most famous, popular and presumably profitable eating spots on the grounds have all decided to forgo this year a business venture they haven’t missed for many years, in some cases for decades. For Baker this would have been its 71st year at the Fair.
If one or two had pulled out, maybe they could shrug off questions with the vague answers given. But four such major players in one year? Come on–what’s up?
It’s possible that the extension of the Fair to 18 days this year, up from their previous high-water mark of 13 days in 2019, was too much for some vendors. Syracuse.com reported that some business owners cited the strain the Fair would put on limited staff. But the Hound is guessing there’s more to it. 
It could be contractual or regulatory changes, higher fees to open or other cost-related issues. We’ve seen New York State interfere with business in the past, the worst example being the mandating of sources and prices on bottled water.
Whatever is happening, it’s just tough to buy the exit of four favorite vendors in one year unless there’s more to this shocking news. The Hound would like to know more. And on behalf of devoted Fair foodies, something should be done to retain such popular businesses.
That wacky cuisine awaits at the New York State Fair in 9 weeks.
That loud cheering you heard on Monday was from New York State Fair enthusiasts thrilled to finally hear that our favorite event will go on at full attendance capacity.
The Governor, no doubt happy to flee Albany for a day, made the announcement at the Fairgrounds. Low COVID infection rates and strong vaccination data have inspired the bold step to welcome more patrons and open the buildings to essentially normal function.
There were several puzzling caveats including controlled capacity in buildings and a recommendation that people eat while seated rather than while walking.
The importance of such actions isn’t clear. How would they make the Fair safer or better, especially since the decision to go Fairgrounds-wide full capacity makes the statement that progress on controlling the pandemic warrants eliminating restrictions?
Maybe they were watching an interview with Dr. Stephen Thomas of Upstate that aired on Channel 9, in which his first statement was that the risk of going to the Fair “isn’t zero.” 
Well guess what, doc, it never is. The risk of slipping on a discarded snow cone, being kicked by cow, choking on a corn dog or getting bonked with one of Hilby’s juggling pins isn’t zero. If you want zero risk, stay home.
One concession we must grant is that many of those nitwits who refuse vaccination will be the first to ignore taking any action that would mitigate transmission of infection. They’re the first ones who will be walking around maskless, wherever they choose, without regard for anyone but themselves. But they’re easy to spot–they’re the ones wearing a MAGA cap or maybe a tinfoil hat.
Cuomo says that they won’t check the vaccination status of those entering the Fair. That would be a monumental job, but certainly more effective than these half-assed measures to control conduct for people who have already passed through the gates.
The Hound stands by our earlier recommendation (Shot and a Fair, 6/7/21), but we’re moving in the right direction.
There’s plenty of time to get your shots and your State Fair tickets. It’s going to be a great year.
Holler “I got it!” to win on the Wades Shows midway at the New York State Fair. Gates open on Aug. 20, just 10 weeks away.